Defence chiefs are considering changing rules that date back more than 100 years to allow Wrens to join the crews of the Navy's "silent service".

Women have been barred from subs until now partly because of concerns that mixed crews could cause tension on vessels that spends months underwater.

More recently, there have been greater concerns that a woman's reproductive organs and pregnant women could be affected by the reactors on board modern nuclear-powered submarines.

But a study by the Institute of Naval Medicine has concluded there is no risk to female or fetal health from submarine radiation under normal operating conditions.

The Ministry of Defence is now reviewing it's policy of excluding women as submariners with one Navy source suggesting the ban could be lifted as early as next year.

The Royal Navy's use of submarines first began in 1901 and a change in the rules would mean the MoD having to provide separate sleeping and showering quarters within the vessels.

Kim Richardson, chair of the Naval Families Federation, said: "There was a 50/50 split about whether females should serve in submarines.

"Some family members did express concerns about where the females were going to sleep, and a number of these physical aspects were raised.

"We were reassured by the Navy that all this is being taken into account, but we are still keen to hear from anyone who has a view.’

But a senior petty officer In Plymouth, Devon, home of the nuclear submarine fleet, said: "A female is a distraction. It is as old as Adam and Eve.

"When you are in a tense situation working hard, you form relationships. With a bloke, it is a mate for life. With a woman, it is often lustful. Just watch and see what happens when they join our boats."

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "The Royal Navy is conducting a review of its policy of excluding females from serving in submarines and is considering the operational, health, legal, social, technical and financial implications.